Natural Habitat's Tortoise Camp

Natural Habitat's Tortoise Camp

Location
Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands

In our constant quest to offer exclusive and exciting immersions in nature, we are pleased to include a unique one-night deluxe camping excursion on all scheduled Galapagos adventures. Ascending from the sea into the highlands of Santa Cruz, we reach Natural Habitat's exclusive Tortoise Camp, perched high on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Here amid lush mountains, scalesia forest and volcanic caves—native habitat for wild tortoises—guests enjoy an intimate encounter with nature found nowhere else in the Galapagos. The environs around our campsite are home to several dozen giant tortoises, seen at the campsite from June through February. During the months of March, April and May the giant tortoises generally move to lower elevations though a handful sometimes stay at the campsite.

In this secluded natural setting, we'll enjoy a night of first-class "camping" high atop Santa Cruz Island, where the sounds of nature and the starry skies overhead are the backdrop for a savory dinner served in the camp's covered, open-air lounge and dining area. A fire crackles in the grate for added ambiance. Our unique accommodations are in either individual tree houses or semi-permanent, raised walk-in tents reminiscent of an African safari camp—but with tortoises! Guests share two bathhouses that have flush toilets and hot showers.

In the morning, after a light breakfast, we drive back to the dock to meet our private ship once more and continue on our marine-based journey through the Galapagos.

IMPORTANT — Please Note: A stay at Nat Hab's Tortoise Camp is part of our Galapagos Hiking and Kayaking expedition trips. An optional stay is also included at no additional cost with all Classic, Photo and Family Galapagos trips. Keep in mind that while accommodations at our Tortoise Camp include real beds and shared showers and bathrooms, this is still very much like a camping situation with a "roughing it" element. Also, should the weather be rainy, as in all camping situations, the experience can become more challenging. At times, the camp may be closed due to poor weather conditions.